Tuesday, February 1, 2011

MINI Announces New JCW Sport Packages and Clubman Hampton Edition

The newly developed 2.0-liter turbo diesel we told you about in our previous post isn't the only fresh addition to MINI's lineup for 2011. The new year also brings a John Cooper Works [JCW] Pack option for the hatch and convertible models, a performance kit for the Cooper S and the Clubman Hampton special edition.

The JCW pack option for the Cooper and Cooper S Hardtop and Convertible vehicles is due to be available from the second quarter of 2011 as a factory option. It includes an aero kit with front and rear aprons, plus side skirts, as well as 17-inch weight-optimized aluminum alloy wheels.

In addition, the package will include Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), which has a special mode that raises the intervention thresholds of the stability control system, as well as EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control.) These two features are on top of the already-standard stability system, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control.).

Next up on the menu is the JCW Tuning kit for the Cooper S Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman models. The highlight of the package is the engine kit that optimizes the ECU and adds a specifically designed air filter system to raise output by 11-horsepower to 195HP. The twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-liter unit also delivers 184 lb-ft of torque between 1,250 and 5,000 rpm, while this can be raised to as much as 199 lb-ft between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm courtesy of the Overboost function.

A model-specific sports silencer with polished tailpipes, which is said to optimize the exhaust gas discharge and gives the engine sound a particularly sporting note, and the newly designed 18-inch Cross Spoke Red Stripe light-alloy wheel, complete the package.

Finally, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original 1961 Morris Mini Traveller, the British company has introduced a new special edition of the Clubman called Hampton. MINI has designed a new Reef Blue metallic color specially for this model, which also sports a silver color for the rooftop and door surrounds.

The exterior colors Pepper White, Midnight Black and Eclipse Grey can also be specified as an option, while Black and Reef Blue are available as contrast colors for the roof and C-pillars.

The Hampton also gets unique 17-inch Twin Spoke alloy wheels that can be ordered in either silver or black with a dark red trim ring, black headlamp surrounds, plus “Hampton” lettering on the B-pillar, door entry sills, side scuttles and radiator grille.

Inside, special features include the Black Lounge Leather seats with an “H” on the seat tags, red edging and contrast stitching in orange, the anthracite headliner, anthracite gauge faces and a matt dark red border on the central speedometer.

This Hampton special edition will be available for the MINI Cooper Clubman and MINI Cooper S Clubman models, with production to be limited to one year.